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CAN WE NORMALIZE

sweating without breaking out, please?

By Jess –gym rat, summer walker, has tried blotting sheets from every continent

Here’s a summer truth no one talks about enough: I love to sweat. There, I said it. I like moving my body, walking instead of Uber-ing, dancing until I forget what time it is. Sweat makes me feel alive. But you know what doesn’t? The constellation of breakouts that show up the next morning like they were invited. It’s like the minute the weather hits 25°C, my skin throws a protest. My forehead? Texture. My back? Breakouts. My jawline? Don’t even get me started. So I asked myself: Why does something natural — sweating — come with so much skin drama? Turns out, the problem isn’t sweat. It’s what happens when we don’t let our skin breathe properly before, during, and after it. Let’s talk about it.

CAN WE NORMALIZE sweating without breaking out, please?

First: sweat isn’t dirty, your routine might be

Here’s the thing: sweat doesn’t cause acne. Sweat is actually a detox mechanism : it helps regulate body temperature, flush out tiny waste particles, and even supports the skin’s microbiome. The issue? When it sits on your skin, mixes with SPF, makeup, and city grime... that’s when bacteria throws a party.

So no, you don’t need to fear sweating.

You need to rethink how your skincare plays with sweat.

  • Are you wearing a heavy moisturizer under your SPF in 30° heat?
  • Are you skipping your cleanse after a long walk?
  • Are you working out in makeup “just for a quick session”? (I see you.)

These small things clog your pores faster than sweat ever could.

Let’s clear something up: sweating is a good thing! It’s your body’s natural air-conditioning, flushing out toxins and regulating temperature. Sweat itself isn’t harmful, it’s mostly water, salts, and a few harmless minerals. But here’s the kicker: when sweat mixes with oils, leftover makeup, skincare residues, or bacteria on your skin, things get tricky, and that's when breakouts decide to crash the party uninvited.

What works: light layers, fast cleansing, chill textures

Summer skin = low patience. Your products should work with your sweat, not against it. Here's what changed the game for me:

  • Swap the cream cleanser for a jelly cleanser. Jelly textures help clear away sweat + SPF without stripping your barrier.
  • Post-sweat cleanse = non-negotiable. Even if it’s just micellar water or a gentle rinse, clearing sweat off fast matters.
  • Keep it breathable. Opt for lightweight, hydrating layers in the morning. Think gel creams, mists, and non-occlusive SPFs.
  • Touch your face less. Sweaty skin + dirty hands = breakout bingo.

Backne, boobne, hairline drama… Let’s Talk

Sweat doesn’t just affect your face, it goes everywhere. If you're seeing breakouts on your chest, back, or hairline, it might be time to audit your habits:

  • Tight clothes + sweat = trapped bacteria. Go for breathable fabrics and rinse off after workouts or beach hangs.
  • Hair products sliding onto your skin? They can clog too. Keep cleansing close to your scalp + use a clarifying wash weekly.
  • Body cleansers matter. Fragranced body wash can be irritating post-sweat. Look for ones with soothing ingredients like zinc or aloe.

Also? Please don’t exfoliate your way out of this. Inflammation needs kindness, not microbeads.

So… Can we stop demonizing sweat?

Let’s normalize glowing and sweating. Let’s stop acting like any shine = failure. Your skin is working. It’s alive. It’s regulating. What it needs is a routine that respects that, not punishes it.

And hey ! breakouts happen. Summer’s messy. But with the right textures, gentle cleansing, and zero shame, we can stop seeing sweat as the enemy… and maybe even embrace the glow it brings with it.